PHILADELPHIA | Highrise Development Thread IX

[Muji]

I had no idea that Drexel had been rebuilding the old 32nd St esplanade, but the new Perelman Plaza looks great! I think it's hugely better than the old design, whose suburban campus-style diagonal paths never seemed to serve much of any purpose. Philadelphia has just been killing it recently with public space improvements on the edge of University City.

[iheartphilly]

Here's a link to the new Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk with panning view of the skyline.

See link:

http://www.visitphilly.com/articles/phil...n=VisitPhillyFacebook&utm_content=Social

[tsarstruck]

Originally Posted by iheartphilly

Here's a link to the new Schuylkill Banks Boardwalk with panning view of the skyline.

See link:

http://www.visitphilly.com/articles/phil...n=VisitPhillyFacebook&utm_content=Social

Those are some sweet skyline shots (although, to be fair, not much different than South St). To their point of further extension, getting it to Christian will be relatively easy. Getting it to the Grays Ferry Crescent is going to be really rough. From Christian down all the way to the 76 Bridge, you basically have the same problem that the boardwalk served: a 1,000 to 1,500 foot-ish gap where there's not enough land to put a trail, so I guess we can expect another $10-$15MM boardwalk in the future...

[summersm343]

Syapse, a San Francisco Bay area IT company opening up Philly office

Healthcare software provider Syapse is opening an office in Philadelphia to focus primarily on customer solutions, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based company announced Thursday.

Opening an East Coast office was the best way to deal with the company’s growing client base of healthcare provider organizations, Syapse said.

Syapse chose Philadelphia as its second home for a combination of reasons

Syapse, with a current team of about 20, said it will be hiring five to 10 new employees throughout 2015 to work in the Philadelphia-area office. Ideally, the new hires will be from the region, but Syapse said it is considering all qualified candidates. Syapse is looking for those with a technical background to fulfill the customer solutions (also known as professional services) roles. The company said it’s also hoping to add a couple sales folks.

http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...-alto-to-philly-healthcare-software.html

[DIESELPOLO]

Originally Posted by domodeez

Drexel opens Perelman Plaza. This one was done by Andropogen, I believe.



Drexel will gradually demolish the crappy older buildings (not Furness's amazing Paul van Peck Center or the original Drexel Institute building shown at right) on this mega-block and continue to develop awesome new things around this plaza.

Feels a little spare though, no?

[domodeez]

Originally Posted by DIESELPOLO

Feels a little spare though, no?

In this picture it looks spare. It didn't *feel* spare, barren, or cold. And given all of the development that will take place around this over the next few years, Drexel is smart to be building plazas that can accommodate larger crowds.

[bucks native]

Center City's quality of life improvements - big and small - are paying off. Very clever - with appeal to both residents and businesses - ad on back cover of current PHL Mag reads:

REMEMBER THE 17 SNOWSTORMS? IT WAS MOTHER NATURE'S WAY OF SAYING IT'S TIME TO MOVE TO CENTER CITY.

[jsbrook]

Originally Posted by bucks native

Center City's quality of life improvements - big and small - are paying off. Very clever - with appeal to both residents and businesses - ad on back cover of current PHL Mag reads:

REMEMBER THE 17 SNOWSTORMS? IT WAS MOTHER NATURE'S WAY OF SAYING IT'S TIME TO MOVE TO CENTER CITY.

Ha. This is true. I remember in one of the snowstorms last winter my girlfriend and I were headed to Flywheel and I was talking to my sister (who is out in the burbs) on the phone. Her: "You guys are going to Flywheel? It's Armageddon out here." They lost power for days. I barely felt any of those storms in center city.

[PHL10]

Originally Posted by summersm343

Syapse, a San Francisco Bay area IT company opening up Philly office



http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/...-alto-to-philly-healthcare-software.html

I assume this means the office will be in Wayne:

In July, Safeguard Scientifics led Syapse’s $10 million Series B financing. Safeguard is based in Wayne, Pa., and Syapse initially plans to use space there.

[EastSideHBG]

Mayfair zoning plan would ban beer distributors, nail salons, car dealerships

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/business/Ma...car_dealerships.html#66PjpBwyyTlMogUB.99

[PhillySteaks]

Originally Posted by PHL10

I assume this means the office will be in Wayne:

I'd agree with you. Whenever an out of town company claims to be opening space they say Philadelphia, most likely just for effect, then they move to Wayne haha. I think it's uncanny how many companies, even people in the suburbs, when asked where they are from say Philadelphia when they are infact just outside the city limits. I can't tell you how many current Villanova students market they are are a philly school, and about 95% of them couldn't tell you the difference between Market East, Suburban, & 30th Street Stations.

At the same times tons of companies market jobs as the Philadelphia/Philadelphia Area and they end up spanning from Newtown to Newark DE. I remember years ago applying to a job that said Philadelphia and it ended up being in Wilmington....I quickly declined bc anything DE is gross. It's like New Jersey's red headed cousin. It's kind of devastating to see how much economic activity actually occurs just outside the city limits, how many young people reverse commute, and how a friendlier business environment could potentially attract these companies back in search of talent. Example, JP Morgan employees 10,000+ people literally right over the border into DE. A very significant portion of that workforce is made up of young people, and a large % of that group commutes 45min - 1hr every single day because they refuse to live in Delaware. It creates high turnover and low morale because you consistantly see young people getting fed up with the commutes. Unfortunately same ole same ole for philly politicos.

[1487]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

I'd agree with you. Whenever an out of town company claims to be opening space they say Philadelphia, most likely just for effect, then they move to Wayne haha. I think it's uncanny how many companies, even people in the suburbs, when asked where they are from say Philadelphia when they are infact just outside the city limits. I can't tell you how many current Villanova students market they are are a philly school, and about 95% of them couldn't tell you the difference between Market East, Suburban, & 30th Street Stations.

At the same times tons of companies market jobs as the Philadelphia/Philadelphia Area and they end up spanning from Newtown to Newark DE. I remember years ago applying to a job that said Philadelphia and it ended up being in Wilmington....I quickly declined bc anything DE is gross. It's like New Jersey's red headed cousin. It's kind of devastating to see how much economic activity actually occurs just outside the city limits, how many young people reverse commute, and how a friendlier business environment could potentially attract these companies back in search of talent. Example, JP Morgan employees 10,000+ people literally right over the border into DE. A very significant portion of that workforce is made up of young people, and a large % of that group commutes 45min - 1hr every single day because they refuse to live in Delaware. Unfortunately same ole same ole for philly politicos.

its not that simple. First of all almost every financial company in DE is only there due to their tax and lending laws. Those companies are NEVER coming to Philadelphia. It has nothing to do with the famed "anti business climate". Secondly, as discussed with regards to Vanguard, many companies are not open to being in Philadelphia at all. It could be because of the attitudes of the top management, the convenience of their locations relative to the top managers or just ties with that locality. I think the companies that have come here recently have been pretty clear that working with the local officials to do a deal has been a positive experience. It would nice if most suburban companies would move here if there was simply a change in attitude by Philadelphia officials, but that isnt reality. I didnt even get into how many employers and employees are addicted to free parking.

[Boku]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

Example, JP Morgan employees 10,000+ people literally right over the border into DE. A very significant portion of that workforce is made up of young people, and a large % of that group commutes 45min - 1hr every single day because they refuse to live in Delaware. It creates high turnover and low morale because you consistantly see young people getting fed up with the commutes. Unfortunately same ole same ole for philly politicos.

That's not a good example. Delaware is a well-known tax haven. Also this: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/inq-p...tions-center-in-suburban-Wilmington.html

"Why is JPMorgan buying? 'All corporate entities that have substantial properties leased are looking at acquiring them because anticipated changes in the Federal Accounting Standards Board regulations will give them more favorable tax treatment if they own the buildings, rather than lease them...'"

I would blame state and federal tax laws more than Philly politicos for that one.

[Boku]

Also, the article says that Syapse initially plans to set up offices in Wayne; perhaps there's a possibility of a move directly into the city in the future, though I'd be surprised if that happened. They're based in Palo Alto, so I assume they're comfortable with the suburban office thing. That's what makes the new Comcast tower unique--it's attempting to bring tech campuses directly into the city as opposed to the sprawling suburban parks they're normally associated with.

[1487]

Originally Posted by Boku

Also, the article says that Syapse initially plans to set up offices in Wayne; perhaps there's a possibility of a move directly into the city in the future, though I'd be surprised if that happened. They're based in Palo Alto, so I assume they're comfortable with the suburban office thing. That's what makes the new Comcast tower unique--it's attempting to bring tech campuses directly into the city as opposed to the sprawling suburban parks they're normally associated with.

which makes a lot of sense when you think about the demographics of the tech industry. I would think an urban location would appeal to many of the young folks who are in that business. Comcast's take on things is a bit more interesting than a huge, self contained, isolated HQ like they tend to have in silicon valley. while its nice to offer electric car charging and on site exercise, you can never make a suburban office park as green as vertical building tied into an existing mass transit network.

[DIESELPOLO]

Originally Posted by 1487

its not that simple. First of all almost every financial company in DE is only there due to their tax and lending laws. Those companies are NEVER coming to Philadelphia. It has nothing to do with the famed "anti business climate". Secondly, as discussed with regards to Vanguard, many companies are not open to being in Philadelphia at all. It could be because of the attitudes of the top management, the convenience of their locations relative to the top managers or just ties with that locality. I think the companies that have come here recently have been pretty clear that working with the local officials to do a deal has been a positive experience. It would nice if most suburban companies would move here if there was simply a change in attitude by Philadelphia officials, but that isnt reality. I didnt even get into how many employers and employees are addicted to free parking.

1487, I'm into your brand of thinking this fine Friday afternoon.

[MSFHQ]

I love the city, but it's anti business and the wage tax is a joke. I'm here because I work in the city and am already getting robbed. If Philly wants to energize this recovery it will halve the wage tax and get rid of the privilege tax. Simple.

The suburbs have a lot of positives for families and employers. Radnor corps center and conshy are all nice with new amenities and easy to get to the city. NYC can have a wage tax because it's NYC. Philly can't.

Furthermore, the wage tax is a crock because we tax people who work in the city, but don't live her. They pay for this place but have no say. Probably why we've had one party rule around here.

As for the Villanova comment, it's a Philly area school. No one has heard of Wayne or Radnor, it's just an easy way to describe it.

[PhillySteaks]

Originally Posted by 1487

its not that simple. First of all almost every financial company in DE is only there due to their tax and lending laws. Those companies are NEVER coming to Philadelphia. It has nothing to do with the famed "anti business climate". Secondly, as discussed with regards to Vanguard, many companies are not open to being in Philadelphia at all. It could be because of the attitudes of the top management, the convenience of their locations relative to the top managers or just ties with that locality. I think the companies that have come here recently have been pretty clear that working with the local officials to do a deal has been a positive experience. It would nice if most suburban companies would move here if there was simply a change in attitude by Philadelphia officials, but that isnt reality. I didnt even get into how many employers and employees are addicted to free parking.

Thank you for taking the time to state very obvious information

[Jawnadelphia]

Originally Posted by PhillySteaks

I'd agree with you. Whenever an out of town company claims to be opening space they say Philadelphia, most likely just for effect, then they move to Wayne haha. I think it's uncanny how many companies, even people in the suburbs, when asked where they are from say Philadelphia when they are infact just outside the city limits. I can't tell you how many current Villanova students market they are are a philly school, and about 95% of them couldn't tell you the difference between Market East, Suburban, & 30th Street Stations.

At the same times tons of companies market jobs as the Philadelphia/Philadelphia Area and they end up spanning from Newtown to Newark DE. I remember years ago applying to a job that said Philadelphia and it ended up being in Wilmington....I quickly declined bc anything DE is gross. It's like New Jersey's red headed cousin. It's kind of devastating to see how much economic activity actually occurs just outside the city limits, how many young people reverse commute, and how a friendlier business environment could potentially attract these companies back in search of talent. Example, JP Morgan employees 10,000+ people literally right over the border into DE. A very significant portion of that workforce is made up of young people, and a large % of that group commutes 45min - 1hr every single day because they refuse to live in Delaware. It creates high turnover and low morale because you consistantly see young people getting fed up with the commutes. Unfortunately same ole same ole for philly politicos.

Funny, because lots of people living in the burbs of Wilmington, which has some very nice suburbs--North Wilmington, Hockessin, Greenville, etc etc.... commute to Philly for work, only to quickly flee to their green lawns and Delaware homes, and tax-free shopping. And they also think Jersey is nothing but god awful loudmouths, full of themselves-nothings, generally a-holes, whose Jersey Shore is a toxic dump - with stupid people; oh and Philly is scary and dangerous death trap.

Point I'm making - these lame stereotypes...? Every big city has a "metro" area. And yes, this metro area has smaller, neighboring cities, and towns, and jobs! And people! Get over it.

[GarCastle]

Originally Posted by 1487

which makes a lot of sense when you think about the demographics of the tech industry. I would think an urban location would appeal to many of the young folks who are in that business. Comcast's take on things is a bit more interesting than a huge, self contained, isolated HQ like they tend to have in silicon valley. while its nice to offer electric car charging and on site exercise, you can never make a suburban office park as green as vertical building tied into an existing mass transit network.

I don't know, I think Malvern and its nearby areas are losing their "tech" dominance quickly. While it was the HQ for Shared Medical Systems, an office for McKesson/HBOC, an office for Eclipsys, and so on. SMS was bought by Siemens, laid off down to less than half the staff, and now is being sold to Cerner which will destroy it even more. Eclipsys was bought by Allscripts and has also been shredded apart. McKesson is in a downward spiral as well. I wouldn't be shocked if McKesson and Allscripts were out of business in 5-10 years and Cerner was off-shoring everything to try to be the "cheap" healthcare offering. Meanwhile Philly seems to be gaining tech. Quite a number of those healthcare techies now work at Penn, CHOP, etc.

Of course, I haven't driven out to Malvern/etc. in awhile because well there is no reason for me to. There could be newer tech companies in that area now.

Cheers,
G.